Posts Tagged ‘taxes’

Business owners do not believe politicians support small business. Is this a surprise?

Cities pile on fees, licenses and taxes and make life miserable for a cash-strapped business owner. The state also adds on filings and fees for missed deadlines on semi-meaningless forms that have to be signed, dated, mailed and accompanied by a check.

We won’t even mention the Feds.

According to INC. Magazine, the percentage of business owners who feel the Republicans support small business is 23%; the number is 21% for Democrats, and 35% feel none of the political parties are in their corner.

After I cash my paycheck, that money should be mine. Taxes have been deducted and if I choose to spend that money on a stereo, invest in a penny stock or change everything into $5.00 dollar bills and fill up a mattress, that should be my prerogative.

Of course, this isn’t the case. Interest on my bank account is added to my yearly tax return, any money I earn from selling a stock is taxable income. The government wants to know pretty much what you have and where you put it, which to me, feels like an invasion of privacy.

Flipping through a magazine, I came across an advertisement for private vaults. The ad captured me, “….we won’t ask your name or anything about you.” They use an iris scan, and prices start at $250.00 for a small box, annually. The company, Private Vaults, is located in Las Vegas, and while they have a pretty cheesy looking website, I love the concept.

Here is a thought: Moving forward, eliminate all pensions for government jobs where you do not risk life and limb.

The secretary who works at the DMV? She can have a 401k like the rest of us.

The Assistant DA for the county? He gets access to a non-matching 401k just like his peers in the private sector.

Bridge Toll Taker

The Golden Gate Bridge District is once again facing a deficit north of $100 million, and they are looking at ways to raise cash such as letting people walk under the bridge and of course, raising tolls. Never mind that there is a Bridge Commission that draws a salary and other perks such as a pension. Or all the bridge workers that will get paid until the day they die that are factored into this deficit that we, the taxpayer, must make up.

It’s a never ending cycle of bureaus, task forces, committees and administrative assistants all getting benefits that far exceed the private sector and then can collect a check forever if they are able to slack for a couple of decades

Highway Patrol, State Troopers, police, fire, Secret Service and military – all exempt from this new ruling. Anyone who needs to carry a firearm or goes into situation where they can potentially die, you get a check. Teachers, you get a check, too. You should also get a raise, but the union gardeners are getting that allocation.

If you sit in front of a computer, clean trash receptacles, or take my picture at DMV, welcome to the real world of getting a paycheck twice a month and worrying about retirement like the rest of us.

How can we make this reality? I am not sure, but I am open to your suggestions and would love to hear your thoughts.